EXTENDING MANDATE OF UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE,

SECURITY COUNCIL REITERATES CALL FOR LASTING ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE

The Security Council decided this morning to extend the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights, for six months, ending on 31 December 2007.

By its unanimous adoption of resolution 1759 (2007), the Council also reiterated the terms of its resolution 338 (1973), which calls on the two parties to pursue negotiations towards a lasting peace.

In a statement (document S/2007/PRST/20) complementing the resolution, Johan Verbeke (Belgium), Council President for June, quoted paragraph 11 of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on UNDOF (document S/2007/331), which maintains that the Middle East is likely to remain tense until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the problem can be reached.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1759 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 5 June 2007 (S/2007/331), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,

“1. Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;

“2. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

“3. Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 31 December 2007;

“4. Requests the Secretary-General to submit, at the end of this period, a report on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).”

Presidential Statement

The text of presidential statement S/PRST/2007/20 reads as follows:

“In connection with the resolution just adopted on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, I have been authorized to make the following complementary statement on behalf of the Security Council:

‘As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/2007/331) states in paragraph 11 “…the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached”. That statement of the Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council.’”

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For information media • not an official record

For information media. Not an official record.

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Daily Noon Briefing

The Secretary-General is in Kuwait, where he will participate in the third pledging conference for Syria. Earlier today, he visited Baghdad, where he met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, President Fuad Masum and Speaker Saleem al-Jabouri. He also spoke by phone with President Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government.